When dealing with humans, actions taken in expectation of specific results often have quite unexpected outcomes. North Korea is a case in point. Differing political points of view aside, some observers have been concerned that applying stringent sanctions to Pyongyang would hurt the average citizen. For that reason, care was taken to exempt foodstuffs and medicines from the list of banned goods.

After all, the objective was to tighten the financial screws on the Kim Jong Un regime and to eliminate the importation of luxury goods with which the suryong buys loyalty from senior party members, ranking military personnel and other elites in his inner circle. While there are indeed indications that at least some contraband goods are being halted from entering North Korea, foods seem to be getting through just as intended without problem, and prices on such goods appear to be holding steady in any case.